Wringer construction



Fb.14,1939. WKVOSS y' .2,147,069

WRINGER CONSTRUCTION Filed March 5, 1951 2 sheets-sneu 1 Feb.14,1939. w. Kvoss v 2,147,069

WRINGEB CONSTRUCTION Filed March 5, 1931 2A Sheets-Sheet 2 Patentedy Feb. 14, 1939 UNITED STATESl wnmGEa c ONSTRUCTION Walter K. Voss,\-Davenport, Iowa, assignor, by

mesne assignments, Company, Erie, Pa., vania Application March 5,

21 claim.

The present invention relates to wringer constructions and more in particular to wringer constructions having novel means for preventing injury to the operator or attendant.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel wringer construction in which certain of the rolls are releasably mounted so that the same readily separates when an excess .of pressure is applied thereto, as for example, should any part of the operators body or clothing become engaged therewith, or should there be an undue bunching or congestion of the clothes passing therethrough.

I'he invention comprehends the idea of providing a construction inA which the rolls are readily separated and released from their normal operative wringing contiguous position, should excess pressure be applied because of the above condition, and remain in this position until the same are manually returned into their former position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wringer construction in which one of the rolls is swingably and releasably mounted in the frame thereof, means being further provided whereby a release of this roll may be effected either manually or by Aan excess of pressure applied to said roll.

The invention further comprehends the idea of providing a wringer construction in which an upper and lower bite is formed between rolls, whereby clothes passing therethrough .are com- -pressed and amply wrung in their passage through the wringer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wringer construction in which certain of the rolls forming these upper and lower bites are releasably held in their normal operative wringing position' and are maintained in this position during the wringing operation unless the clothes or the rlike passing therethrough become congested or bunched, or the attendants body or clothing becomes engaged therebetween, at which time the rolls would be released due to the excess pressure applied thereto, thus preventing injury to the attendant or his clothing. Novel means are provided whereby the rolls remain in their released position until the same are manually returned to their normal operative position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a wringer construction in which the bite between certain of the rolls may be varied so as to adapt this wringe'r for effective operation under various conditions and toadapt the same for handling all kinds of material.

to Lovell Manufacturing a corporation of Pennsyl- 1931, Serial No. 520,294

(C l. (is-248) The invention still further contemplates the idea of providing novel means for guiding the clothes or other material in their passage through the wringer.

Other objects, features, capabilities and advantages are comprehended by the invention as will later appear, and as are inherently possessed thereby.

Referringt'o the drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary view in perspective of a washing machine tub having an embodiment of the present invention associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in perspective similar. to Fig. 1 of the drawings, and disclosing the manner in which the rolls of the wringer construction are separated when a hand or the like of an attendant becomes engaged between a bite or bites thereof.

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the present novel wringer construction having parts removed so as to disclose in detail the mechanism permitting a separation of the rolls when an excess pressure is applied thereto.

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the end plate for the wringer frame, and having parts broken away to show in detail the means for mounting certain of the rolls in the frame.

, Fig. 5 is an end view in elevation of the wringer frame with the end plate removed therefrom so as to show in detail the mounting for the rolls whereby a separation thereof'may be effected.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken through the wringer construction adjacent the end frame member and disclosing in detail the construction of the guide means for the'clothes or other material during the passage thereof through the wringer.

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view of the rolls when in their normal operative position and showing in full line the position of the rolls when the same have become separated.

mferring now more in detail to the drawings, an embodiment of the present wringer construction I selected to illustrate the invention is shown as being secured to a gear housing 2 enclosing mechanism (not shown) driven by a suitable source of power (not shown) for driving the rolls thereof. This gear housing 2 is suitably mounted upon the tub 3 of a washing machine.

The wringer construction l comprises a frame 4 having an arcuate shaped rear backing member 5 tothe ends of which is secured the upright end frame members 6 and 1a having rolls 1, 8, and 9 mounted therein. The end frame members 6 and 1 are of substantially the same construction their upper ends.

and comprise an inner member lil and an outer or end plate Il secured together as by bolts, screws or the-like.` The roll l comprises a central shaft I2 having one end thereof extending through the frame member 6 and normally in operative engagement with the' gear mechanism in the gear housing 2 whereby the same is driven while the other end of this shaft extends through an opening in the inner plate l0 of the other frame member and is adapted to be journalled in the bearing I3 provided on the end cover plate l l.

This power driven roll l is adapted to frictionally drive the roll 8 having a central shaft lll extending through openings l5 in the inner plates I0 of the end frame members, the ends of this shaft being mounted in the bearing blocks I6 slidably mounted within the grooves, such as l'l, provided in both the inner and outer members l@ and ll 'of the end frame members. These bearing blocks are of abox-like construction, and eX- tend throughope'nings IS in the end frame members. Each/of,l these bearing blocks is provided with a thumb screw i9 threaded in the front end wall thereof yand is adapted to bear against a plate 20 for compressinga coiled spring 2l mounted in the bearingblock and between ,the plate 2l) and a tensioning block 22 adapted topartially encompass the ends of the shaft I4. When this roll 8 is in its normal operative wringing position contiguous with the drive roll l, the amount of bite between these rolls may be readily adjusted by way of these thumb screws i9. Each of these bearing blocks I6A's provided with rearwardly extending lugs 23 having a rod 24 extending therebetween fora purpose to be later more fully disclosed. f f

The lower roll 9 isV adapted to be driven by the intermediate roll 8 and is provided with a shaft 25 having its ends projecting through and movable in the arcuate shaped openings or slots 26 in the member l0 of the end frame members. The ends of this shaft 25 are mounted in the end of the arm members 21 mounted on the ends of the shaft l2 of the power driven roll 1. Each of these arm members 21 has an upwardly extending portion 28 movable within openings 29 in the end frame members' and are connected together by means of the rod 29a mounted in By movement of this rod 29a either ina forward or reverse direction, the lower 211 9 may be moved in the arcuate shaped slots When the intermediate roll 8 is moved in a rearward direction into Contact with `the driving roll 1, the bearing blocks I6 are moved into a position as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. If at this time, the arm portions 28 are moved in a rearwardly direction as also clearly shown in this gure of the drawings, the lower roll 9 is moved upwardly in the arcuate slots 26 into contacting engagement with the intermediate roll 8. WhenV the arm members 21 are in this position, lugs 29b.which are provided thereon, are

Yadapted toengage with the rods 24 of these bearing blocks for maintaining both the lower roll and the intermediate roll in their operative wringing position.

Should any part of the body or clothing of the operator or attendant become engaged between the rolls 8 and 9, or should the clothes passing therebetween become congested or bunched so as to cause an excess of pressure to be. applied tothese rolls, the lower roll 9 is forced downwardly in the arcuate slots 26 to a point where the lugs 29b become disengaged from the rods 24 whereby the intermediate roll is free to move in an outwardly direction. The separation of the intermediate roll 8 from the power driven roll "l not only permits the operator to remove any part of his body, such as his hand or the like from between the rolls, or to remove any congestion or bunching of the material passing therethrough, but likewise breaks the driving connection between the power driven roll l and the other rolls. These rolls will remain separated until such time as the intermediate roll 8 is manually moved in a rearward direction, and the lugs 29b are move-d into an engaging position with the rods 24 by means of the rod-29. It will be also noted that when the lugs 29b are in engagement with the rods 24, the lower roll 9 is simultaneously moved into its normal operative contiguous position with the intermediate roll 8.

In order that the clothes or other material may be properly guided in their passage through the rolls of the present wringer construction, a guide plate 30 is provided and is secured by means of screws 3l or the like to a back plate or supporting member 32, secured as by means of screws 33 or the like to the arm members 2l. This supporting member 32 not only provides means for holding the guide member or plate 38, but likewise provides a rigid connection between the arm members 2l whereby the same may be moved within the end frame members simultaneously by manual operation of the rod 29a.

The clothes or other material which pass between the bite of the rolls 8 and 9 are guided in an upward direction along the guide plate 30 into the bite between the rolls 8 and "l. It will be Seen that the clothes or other material in their passage through the present wringer construction are amply and eiectively wrung.

A coiled spring 34 having one end mounted over a projection or boss 35 on the backing or supporting member 32 and its other end mounted in the bore of a plug 36 screwed into the back plate 5 is provided for urging the roll 9 into its operative wringing position and to assist in the movement thereof in the arcuate Slots 26. A thumb screw 31 threaded in the lug 35 and having a washer or the like (not shown) secured to the inner end thereof is provided for adjusting the tension of the coiled spring 34.

While I have hereindescribed and upon the drawings shown' an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I-claim:

l.. In a wringer construction, a wringer frame, a power driven roll mounted in said frame, a pair of rolls movably mounted in said frame, and means for releasably holding said pair of rolls in contiguous wringing relationship to each other and for holding one of said pair of rolls in wringing relationship to said power driven roll, said holding means being adapted for release when an excess of pressure is applied between said pair of rolls.

2. In a wringer construction, a wringer frame, a power driven roll mounted in said frame, a roll supported in members transversely swingably mounted in said frame, a roll intermediate the other rolls and having the surface thereof normally in contiguous relation with said other rolls, and means for releasably holding said in- 3. In a wringer construction, a wringer frame,

a power driven roll mounted in said frame, a roll supported in members transversely swingably mounted in said frame, a roll transversely slidably mounted in said frame and normally having its surface in contiguous relation with said other rolls, and means for releasably holding said slidable and swingable rolls in operative wringing position. v

4. In a wringer construction, a wringer frame, wringer rolls including a roll shiftably mounted in said frame, a roll transversely swingably mounted in said frame and normally in contiguous relation with one of said wringer rolls, and means for interlocking said rolls in their normal operative position, said meansbeing releasable to permit independent movement of said swingable and said shiftable rolls.

5. In a, wringer construction, a wringer frame, a power roll therein, a second roll mounted in said frame, a roll mounted in swingable members and cooperating with said rst two rolls in said frame, means for normally holding said rolls in their releasable operative position, said rolls being adapted to be released and separated when excess pressure is applied thereto, and means exteriorly of said frame for moving the swingable roll into and out of its contiguous position with said second roll.

6. In a wringer construction, a wringer frame, rolls mounted in said frame, pivoted members, a roll swlngably mounted in said frame and supported by said members, means for releasably holding said rolls in their normal contiguous position for wringing, said rolls being adapted to be released and separated when excess pressure is applied thereto, said pivoted members extending exteriorly of said frame for manually releasing said rolls.

7. In a wringer construction, a wringer frame, rolls in said frame including means for slidably mounting one roll, pivoted members, a roll swingably mounted in said frame and supported by said members, said members having a projecting portion adapted to releasably engage said means whereby said rolls are normally held in a contiguous operative position, said rolls being adapted to be released and separated when excess pressure is applied thereto, said members extending exteriorly of said frame whereby said rolls may be manually released. v

8. In a wringer construction, a wringer frame, a power driven roll, a lower roll, an intermediate roll adapted to be positioned in contiguous relation with said other rolls, and excess pressure actuated means for effecting relative separation of said rolls.

9. In a wringer construction, a wringer frame, a power driven roll mounted in said frame, a roll supported in members transversely swingably mounted in said frame, and a releasable intermediate roll adapted to provide a bite with said rolls therein including a roll transversely shiftably mounted in said frame, a roll supported in members transversely swlngably mounted in said frame, means for driving said rolls, means for holding said rolls in their normally operative position including interengaging means connecting said rolls for maintaining such normal position and releasable by excess pressure between the rolls to free the rolls for movement, and other manipulable means for releasing said rolls for separating movement.

12. In a wringer construction, the combination of a power driven roll, a second roll spaced from said power driven roll, an intermediate roll having driving engagement with said other rolls only when said rolls are contiguous, and means for maintaining said rolls in operative relation to pass articles between the intermediate roll and one of the other rolls and then between said intermediate roll and the remaining roll, said means being releasable to permit of relative separating movement of said rolls and consequent cessatio of driven movement of said second and intermediate rolls.

13. In a wringer, the combination of a pair of spaced rolls,vmeans for mounting one roll for movement relative to the other roll, an intermediate roll mounted for movement into engagement with both of said other rolls, and means for holding said rolls operatively engaged, said means being releasable by excess pressure exerted between said intermediatev roll and the movable one of the pair of rolls to permit simultaneous withdrawal of said movable rolls to separate the rolls.

1.4. In a wringer, the combination of a roll mounted for rotation, a .second rotatable roll supported for movement about the axis of lsaid first mentioned roll, a third rotatable roll4 arranged for movement toward and away from engagement with said rst roll and with said second roll in one position of said second roll, and means connecting said second and third rolls to hold them in operative relation to each other and to said first roll.

15. In a wringer, the combination of a plurality of rotatably supported rolls arranged to contact in successive pairs under pressure to receive and pass articles between said successive pairs, means for supporting said rolls for relative shifting movement into and out of their paired relationship including means releasable by the movement of certain of the rolls under excess pressure for holding the rolls in each pair ln operatively paired position.

16. In a wringer, the combination of a plurality of contacting pairs of rotatably supported rolls arranged to pass articles between successive pairs thereof, means lfor supporting said rolls for relative shifting movement into and out of operative relationship wherein each roll contacts another roll, means for holding said rolls in said operative relation, and manually operable means for simultaneously releasing all of said rolls for relative shifting movement into an inoperative position in which the rolls in each pair are separated.

17. A wringer comprising, in combination, a supporting frame, a pair of pressure rolls mounted therein with their axes approximately in the same horizontal plane to provide a downwardly opening bite for'the reception of articles to be passed between said rolls, means forprotating said rolls in such direction that their abutting faces move upwardly, and means for guiding and Gli feeding articles upwardly into said bite from beneath the rolls, said means underlying one of said pressure rolls and extending from a line adjacent to said bite outwardly to a line which attacca 19. In a wringer, the combination with a pair of pressure rolls normally maintained under an operating pressure, an auxiliary feed roll adapted to contact with one of the pressure rolls or is located beyond the side of the latter pressure be separated therefrom so that the surface of 5 roll remote from said bite, said means including said auxiliary roll may be moved away from its a feed roll journaled for operative contact with coacting pressure roll, wherein material is first said latter pressure roll with the 'upper surface fed into the bite of the auxiliary roll and its of said feed roll disposed approximately on said coacting pressure roll and then into the bite of last `mentioned line to provide an article intake the two pressure rolls, and means acting auto- 1( which faces somewhat upwardly toward the opmatically upon a predetermined separation of erator for convenient accessibility and visibility said auxiliary roll and the pressure roll conin the introduction of articles thereinto. tacted thereby to release the normal operating- 18. A wringer comprising, in combination, a pressure from the pressure rolls.- supporting frame, a pair of pressure rolls mount- 20. In a wringer, the combination .ofl a frame; 15 ed therein with their axes approximately in the wringer rolls mounted in the frame with an upsame horizontal plane to provide a downwardly wardly extending bite; and a clothes intake guide opening bite for the reception of articles to be directing the clothes into the bite comprising a passed between said rolls, means for rotating clothes supporting roller at the front of the guide said rolls in such direction that their abutting and yieldingly engaging the roll adjacent to the 2( faces move upwardly, and means for guiding front of the guide. and feeding articles upwardly into said bite from 21. In a wringer, the combination of a frame; beneath the rolls, said means comprising an arcwringer rolls mounted in the frame with an upuate guide and an auxiliary roll disposed beneath wardly extending bite; a clothes intake guide and coacting with one of said pressure rolls and directing the clothes into the bte, comprising a 25 movable as a unit toward and away from the roller at the front of the guide and carried by latter roll, said auxiliary roll being journaled on the guide; and means exertingupward yielding an axis located forwardly of the axis of its copressure on the guide toward a roll. acting pressure roll toprovide an article intake facing somewhat upwardly to facilitate the intro- 30 duction of articles thereinto.

WALTER K. Voss.

CERTIFICATE OF' CORREC'I'IOIL1 y Patent No. 2,1lt7,o69 l Feb'ruary'fllt, 1959.

WALTER n, Voss, f

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as followszj` Page 5, first column, lines Eiland 25, claim 5, strike out the words "ini-'said frame"; and second column, lines )i6 and 56, claims l5 and 16 respectively,` after "of a" insert frame, a; lines it? and 58, same claims, after uarranged" insert therein; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this 11th day of April, A. D; 1959.,

Henry Van Arsdale (S8211) Acting Commissioner of` Patents. 

